Accessibility Links

Munster count on Cullen magic in quarter final

By Mark Souster

April 10 2004, 1:00am, The Times

WHEN Munster signed Christian Cullen last summer they did so in the hope that New Zealand’s record tryscorer would provide the Irish province with the creative spark of genius that would turn Europe’s perennial bridesmaids into champions.

Unfortunately the plan went awry even before he arrived. In his final game for Wellington he damaged a shoulder muscle that required surgery in Dublin. But having featured in four of Munster’s past five games, in the process scoring his first try, they believe that they will now begin to reap a return on their investment in the 28-year-old former All Black full back who moved to Ireland on a three- year contract in November.

Today, against Stade Français in a Heineken Cup quarter-final, would be a perfect…